News

Family pays tribute to Luna Petagine

Little Luna Petagine, who courageously fought cancer over the past four years, has passed away.

The five-year-old, of Raglan Gardens in Oxhey, died at home in the early hours of Wednesday morning, with her parents Mario and Lucy by her side.

After being diagnosed with an ependymoma brain tumour four years ago, she bravely battled against her illness, undergoing various bouts of treatment and therapy.

Mrs Petagine said: "She’d gotten really tired over the last few weeks, and her condition had deteriorated.

"When we took her back to Great Ormond Street Hospital recently, a CT scan gave the devastating news that the tumour had grown, and that it appeared inoperable and beyond treatment.

"We did everything we could, every treatment possible, we fought so hard to save her.

"We’re heartbroken, she was wonderful."

Luna first came to notice after her family, desperate to save their daughter, appealed to Watford Observer readers for donations to help fund potentially life-saving treatment at The Burzynski
Clinic in Houston, Texas.

Communities far and wide responded to their pleas, raising thousands of pounds to help save Luna’s life.

Watford pool team the Railway Rebels gathered together to hold a 24-hour pool-a-thon and raised £1,300, while Zumba instructor Nikki Clarke from Bushey got ladies limbered up for a charity class,
collecting more than £200.

York Meade Primary School in Croxley Green showed their support by making snowflakes, while students from Bromet Primary School in Oxhey Road ditched
their uniforms for a charity non-uniform day.

A music festival fundraiser was held in Hunton Bridge, raising £1,000 and West Watford Golf Society swung into action at a charity golf day, raising £5,000.

There were cake sales and raffles and even a cupcake challenge courtesy of Cinnamon Square.